Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: peteinengland on April 08, 2009, 08:20:38 PM

Title: auto gearbox problem
Post by: peteinengland on April 08, 2009, 08:20:38 PM
2004 grand cherokee 27 crd model

gearbox is leaking oil ( well think its auto box - square shape sump with like a square chequer board pattern on it - can anyone confirm?) got oil all over it and on floor rather than leaking from one point so looks like the gasket is at fault?

as you prob know (but I have just found out!) there is no dipstick to check oil level so I am now paranoid of it breaking on motorway in morning before I get it fixed! is this just a main dealer part (dipstick) or can I get one anywhere. any idea of the cost of the dipstick, gasket and oil?

can you tell me right atf oil and quantity too?

is it easy enough to remove sump and change gasket? whats the torque of bolts ?

thanks guys - hope i can get the great help you gave me last time I had a problem as Im really worried now

Pete
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: tim_aka_tim on April 08, 2009, 08:29:09 PM
Mike Pavelin is about the only one can help you with this one. As I recall, they're sealed
and treated pretty much as one unit. Gearbox problems on the 2.7CRD often end up in a
new gearbox. Last I saw, the dealer wanted about 7000 quid for one. Hope Mike has
better news for you.
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: Bubba on April 08, 2009, 08:30:49 PM
kin ouch
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: Dave69 on April 08, 2009, 08:37:55 PM
Quote from: "tim_aka_tim"
Last I saw, the dealer wanted about 7000 quid for one.


Thanks

keyboard cleaning time just sprayed it with tea
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: peteinengland on April 08, 2009, 08:40:11 PM
NO SLEEP FOR ME TONIGHT THEN UNTIL MIKE REPLYS!
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: tim_aka_tim on April 08, 2009, 08:45:42 PM
IF you need another one, then you could probably get one off a breaker for a few hundred.
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: Lornaben on April 08, 2009, 08:51:09 PM
Quote from: "tim_aka_tim"
Last I saw, the dealer wanted about 7000 quid for one.

 :smt107
 :smt009
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: peteinengland on April 08, 2009, 09:08:42 PM
would it hurt to squirt a bit of atf in as insurance until I get sorted - what would be a safe amount to put in without overfilling?  

does it go in via the dipstick tube?

just know I will be imagining all kinda noises now when driving!
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: tim_aka_tim on April 08, 2009, 09:13:38 PM
We know you're eager, but please wait for Mike!!!! Don't want you doing anything bad to the box.
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: Mike Pavelin on April 08, 2009, 09:29:39 PM
It's a Mercedes-Benz transmission, and as you see has no dipstick. Your nearest Jeep dealer will have the special dipstick, which is a service tool, to check the level, which should be done at a specific temperature read from the transmission temperature sensor via the transmission control module and DRBIII scan tool. The fluid is a special Mercedes one for that specific transmission , don't put Dexron or ATF4 in it. Why not go to a transmission specialist and get the leak fixed before you break it.
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: Bishops Finger on April 08, 2009, 09:35:42 PM
Well thats really encouraged after market sales for GC's.....

Isn't that Rangie levels of non dealer maintainence?
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: peteinengland on April 08, 2009, 11:57:15 PM
I believe its the same gearbox as used on the merc ML320?  is it known as the 722.6 box? found a guy on ebay doing the gasket and filter for £25

searching the net seems the "lifetime" service is a bit ambitious. appparently you have to drain the torque converter too - mike?
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: gazjeep on April 09, 2009, 01:10:13 PM
Without wishing to hijack the thread, is the same autobox & non dipstick affair in the later 2005 onwards 3.0 diesel model  :wink:
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: scrw on April 09, 2009, 01:22:01 PM
Seems the WH has the W5A580 gearbox, basicly a merc one

http://www.wkjeeps.com/wk_transm.htm (http://www.wkjeeps.com/wk_transm.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

http://www.wkjeeps.com/export/wh_export.htm (http://www.wkjeeps.com/export/wh_export.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: peteinengland on April 09, 2009, 05:37:58 PM
went to jct600 today who dipped it - get this  ......its been OVERfilled!!! (as it showed brimmed out even AFTER its been leaking) guess who are the only ones ever to touch it (when it had yet another leak before on multiplug) you got it -  jct 600 same place!!!!  

so now left wondering if its pissing oil due to being overfilled/overpressurised? or yet ANOTHER problem - guess  i will have to clean it off and investigate where its coming from - nice job for the easter break - not

by the way - when they "fixed" it last Sept they charged £70 for multiplug and ive just been quoted £8 for one from hatfields

the "special service tool dipstick" is just a length of wire with a handle on which you put into the tube until it hits the bottom of pan then measure the oil from bottom of pan up. jeep technician said himself they use a net curtain wire also!!! although there is a merc part 140 589 15 21 00 which does same thing for £25 as I called in there also. jeep guy had a chart for temp but he said if its been for a run would be about 80 degrees (obd tool read it at 77 so he was right) - oil level should be about 70mm from bottom of tool (curtain!) at this temp

tell you what - had this piece of crap since new - lost nearly thirty grand in 4 years and its been the worst car I have ever owned for reliability. the tech I spoke to confirmed same - loads of electrical gremlins, ball joints shagged after 3 years/30k - never been off road and done 40k miles only

had it serviced at main dealers on time and every time - always caused me more grief than you could imagine by going to them, never mind puling my pants down with the cost (stratstone and jct ) think I will get it fixed by independent tranny specialist and send bill to jct

what a terrible advert for Jeep - cant wait to get rid of this car...I hate it
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: Mike Pavelin on April 09, 2009, 06:43:51 PM
Get the oil level down, Probably why it's leaking.
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: peteinengland on April 09, 2009, 07:41:00 PM
this place may be useful for members although in usa

they do the service tools as used in dealers like the dipstick i mentioned

http://www.millerspecialtools.spx.com/pdf/CY09-49.pdf (http://www.millerspecialtools.spx.com/pdf/CY09-49.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

hope this is of use
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: Bishops Finger on April 09, 2009, 11:51:05 PM
With all those problems ....suggest you sell it


Be happy to offer £12.69 plus

2 cans of Branston beans

12 cans of either Fosters or Strongbow

Will collect if required...
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: peteinengland on April 11, 2009, 07:08:24 PM
would rather have the pleasure of smashing it into 1000 pieces when it dies or passing it on to a main dealer
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: Mike Pavelin on April 11, 2009, 07:21:47 PM
Quote from: "Bishops Finger"
With all those problems ....suggest you sell it


Be happy to offer £12.69 plus

2 cans of Branston beans

12 cans of either Fosters or Strongbow

Will collect if required...

These are not standard Birty's currency.

I suggest you revise your offer by converting to pork pies and Jaffa cakes if you wish to be taken seriously, or as a last resort try £ Sterling.
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: Bubba on April 11, 2009, 09:03:10 PM
i agree
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: Bubba on April 11, 2009, 09:04:03 PM
yuo have overstepped the mark this time bish
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: peteinengland on April 16, 2009, 09:29:38 PM
getting worse!

when I started it this morning there was a "whining" from under bonnet, but went when warmed up. Reckon its coming from the part which I think is the viscous heater (top left pulley on serp belt when looking from front?)

found some info on net that says the heater has something to do with power steering fluid circuit - is this right? Anyway - checked power steering fluid which was on the "low" mark so Im wondering now if its not a gearbox fluid leak at all and maybe the power steering fluid is leaking, finding its way onto g/box sump and giving that effect. this would also explain why the g/box dipstick still shows it as full which would be strange if leaking from there

Hatfields tell me if the steering fluid is clear and not red (it is clear) its a special type so gonna get some and top up in morning and see if whining changes (if damage not already done) then take it from there

any advice anyone???  thanks

Pete
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: PtP on April 16, 2009, 09:41:01 PM
We have a Merc and when the power steering fluid drops only a small amount, then there is one hell of a lot of noise from the pump when on full lock.

I hope you get it sorted soon and it’s not the gearbox after all.
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: Mike Pavelin on April 16, 2009, 09:55:33 PM
The viscous heater heats the coolant in the heater circuit so the heater warms up quicker. The correct steering fluid is Mopar MS5931 which is a clear/golden colour.
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: peteinengland on April 16, 2009, 09:58:44 PM
and does the steering fluid have anything to do with this mike?

any ideas what to do next?
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: Bubba on April 16, 2009, 10:07:09 PM
have a beer and smoke a hamlet
Title: Re: auto gearbox problem
Post by: peteinengland on May 03, 2009, 08:10:32 PM
getting to bottom of the problems (well some of them!) now...........

The car wouldnt turn over other morning - upon investigation the alternator was completely seized solid, so that was the whining noise! Dealers wanted £500!!! for a replacement so I took it out, not easy, and got it totally refurbed with new bearings clutch pulley etc for £120 - back on and sounds like it should now. If only I'd ignored the many varieties of bull I'd been given like "alternator is oil/water fed" "viscous heater is lubricated by power steering fluid" etc and sussed it out for myself. Put a new serpentine belt on while at it as sticky alternator pulley had made it smell and feel a bit brittle - £30 from dealer

With regard to the gearbox oil leaking, while doing the above I degreased all under car to see where was leaking from and it appears to be the "multiswitch connector?" to the gearbox behind a tin heatshield. Im told this is a very common problem and an easy fix with an £8 part from the dealer

Question I have is how to remove it to replace seal? there is a white knurled plastic ring with a tab on it like one half of a wing nut so guessing its something to do with that, looks like an o-ring beneath it - maybe it will become more apparent when I pick up the part to fix it from dealers

Other question is do I have to drain the box to replace this or is it possible to do while full with a little oil loss? any idea of capacity of gearbox and the oil type required?

Only thing still confusing me is the gearbox level is still showing full when dipped at the correct temp (had it checked at 2 places now) which is really surprising at the leak is what I consider a lot. only explanation I can think of is that they REALLY overfilled it

any advice with the multiswitch greatly appreciated

At least the other thing was just an alternator and not something internally in engine which I feared! Maybe if Jeep fitted the vehicle with a plastic dirt shield on the bottom of engine, like other manufacturers do, the components would last a little longer!

Pete (partially breathing a sigh of relief!)